Wirt County Fair royalty members stir apple butter made by Cub Scout Pack 30 during the 2024 Wirt County Pioneer Days. (Photo Provided)

ELIZABETH — The Elizabeth Beauchamp Chapter of the Daughters of American Pioneers will host the 22nd Annual Wirt County Pioneer Days on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s activities center on the Courthouse Square, celebrating Wirt County’s heritage with 75 vendors and exhibitors, live entertainment, contests, historical tours, artisan demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m., featuring Riding in Faith & Friends Horse Show Ministry, the national anthem performed by Erica Lockhart and an opening prayer. Throughout the day, attendees can browse food and vendor booths, take a ride with Rocky Point Carriages, visit the Civil War Ladies Tea Tent and enter the 50/50 raffle. The winners of the Pioneer Days Essay Contest, with this year’s topic “The Journey Westward in 19th-Century America,” will be announced at 9:15 a.m.

Live entertainment includes:

* 10-11 a.m.: River Rats Band

Apple Tree Forge blacksmith demonstrator Rob Pitts is pictured at the 2024 Wirt County Pioneer Days. (Photo Provided)

* 11 a.m. to noon: Junction 144

* Noon to 2 p.m.: Ridgeline Band

Contests for youth and adults are scheduled at the Beauchamp-Newman Museum:

* Rock painting contest: 10 a.m. to noon

* Pumpkin decorating contest: 10-11 a.m.

Civil War reenactors participate in a skirmish during the 2024 Wirt County Pioneer Days. (Photo Provided)

* Coloring contest: 10 a.m. to noon

Prizes will be awarded to both youth and adult entrants for first, second and third places.

Historical tours include:

* Beauchamp-Newman Museum: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Little Kanawha Hotel: 10-11 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 1-2 and 2-3 p.m. (Tours limited to 20 people.)

The 2024 essay contest winner, Lucas Curfman, center, is pictured with Daughters of American Pioneers members and Riverfest royalty after winning the 2024 Pioneer Days essay contest. (Photo Provided)

Presentations include:

* 11-11:45 a.m.: “Publishing in West Virginia” by John Patrick Grace

* 2-2:30 p.m.: “Life in Elizabeth During the Riverboat Era”

Other attractions include the car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with registration at 9 a.m. and trophies and door prizes at the high school parking lot; a quilt show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration from 4-7 p.m. today in the courthouse lobby; Dow Ras Farms Petting Zoo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Roberts lot; and children’s games on the museum lawn.

Demonstrations include antique engine displays, apple butter making, bagpiping, blacksmithing, broom weaving, crochet, fur displays, corn grinding, pottery, wood burning, Pomroy antique wooden hearse exhibit and wool weaving.

The Civil War skirmish at 2:30 p.m. will feature cannon fire and cavalry maneuvers at Courthouse Square.

On Sunday, the historical experience continues with the Civil War Reenactment. Camps open at 9 a.m., giving visitors the chance to see Union and Confederate reenactors, examine authentic equipment and uniforms and gain insight into the daily life of soldiers. The reenactment battle begins at 2 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, and parking is available nearby.